Weighing up Willow Bark vs synthetic Salicylic Acid? Will it help with blackheads? Is it suitable for sensitive skin? If you’re wondering if Willow Bark Extract deserves a spot in your beauty routine, you’ve come to the right place.
Here, we’ll explore the benefits of Willow Bark for skin and reveal why we think it is the best natural alternative to synthetic Salicylic Acid. We’ll also guide you through some of our favourite natural and organic skin care products with Willow Bark.
Willow Bark skin benefits
The main skin benefits of Willow Bark Extract surround its blemish-fighting action.
A great natural ingredient for spot-prone skin, Willow Bark is a non-irritating, non-sensitising beauty extract that is a rich source of natural ß-hydroxy acid (BHA) Salicylic Acid.
Shown to have demonstrated antibacterial activity, in vitro tests have shown it to be against Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes, two strains of bacteria known to cause acne.
Ideal for keeping pores clear of congestion, the rejuvenating, anti-blemish active also plays an important role in keeping acne bacteria at bay. That’s because it accelerates cell renewal, helping the skin shed dead cells that may otherwise clog pores.
Here’s a summary of the Willow Bark Extract benefits for spot-prone skin:
- Reduces inflammation
- Calms redness
- Provides antimicrobial action
- Accelerates cell renewal
At Green People we use both White Willow Bark (Salix alba bark extract) and Black Willow Bark (Salix nigra bark extract). These have similar benefits for skin.
Is Willow Bark a safe, natural alternative to synthetic Salicylic Acid?
Considered a safe, natural alternative to Salicylic Acid, Willow Bark Extract is non-sensitising and gives all the best benefits of Salicylic Acid, such as redness reduction, exfoliation and antimicrobial action, without any associated irritation. Perfect for sensitive skin!
These benefits make Willow Bark extract the perfect ingredient for those prone to spots. Because it is non-sensitising, even those with sensitive skin can use it.
Did you know? Most teen products contain harsh ingredients that actually exacerbate skin problems like acne, blackheads and oily skin.
What to avoid
Petrochemicals: Mineral oil and silicone block pores and prevent the skin from breathing- much like wrapping your skin in clingfilm
Alcohol (ethyl alcohol, ethanol and harsh detergents like SLS strip away the skin’s natural protective oils, drying it out. Your skin counteracts this imbalance by producing more oil, thereby increasing the risk of acne.
Your Willow Bark skin care routine
Build your best anti-blemish routine with these Willow Bark wonders:
Our Willow Bark spot serum
Combining spot-targeting Tea Tree and Black Willow Bark Extract with pore-purifying Yucca, this soothing serum is a skin-balance essential for teens and adults with spot-prone skin.
Oy Clear Skin Purifying Serum 30ml
Clear skin comes naturally with this skin-purifying serum for teens
£17.50
Our Willow Bark moisturiser for adults
Our favourite face cream for oily and combination skin, our non-greasy Oil Balance Moisturiser is a must-have for spot-prone skin.
Pairing White Willow Bark Extract with soothing, skin-balance Prebiotics and gently exfoliating Pineapple Enzymes, it keeps pores clear of congestion and gently brings redness under control.
Oil Balance Moisturiser 50ml
Balance and calm with our best organic day cream for spot-prone skin
£25.50
"I’m on my 2nd bottle now as it’s so great. A little goes a long way and it lasts for a long time. This moisturiser has balanced my skin and improved my adult acne. The smell is great too. This has been a solution to my bad skin after searching for years for the right moisturiser for my skin type which is oily." Davina M.
Our Willow Bark moisturiser for teens
For teens, we created our Oy Clear Skin Moisturiser with Black Willow Bark Extract. The perfect first moisturiser, this controls breakouts without blocking pores or exposing young skin to harsh retinol or skin-drying alcohols.
Oy Clear Skin Cleansing Moisturiser 50ml
Soothe, clear and balance with this natural teenage moisturiser
"This leaves the skin feel soft and refreshed after being washed with the Oy skin foaming face wash, Used in conjunction with the other Oy products,the results speak for themselves. Clean,bright skin with no redness or spots." Elizabeth
Our Willow Bark face wash for teens
When it comes to encouraging a blemish-free complexion, this certified organic teen face wash knocks the spots off the rest! With Witch Hazel to balance oil and Tea Tree Leaf Extract and Black Willow Bark to calm, it thoroughly cleanses all skin types without drying sensitive skin.
Oy Clear Skin Foaming Face Wash 100ml
Deep cleanse pores with this certified organic face wash for teens
£16.00
"My 11 year old daughter started getting lots of pimples all over her forehead and face, this brilliant product (used in combination with the moisturiser) has worked a complete charm. Her skin is clear again. It smells amazing and she loves it." Cate
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We hope you have found this guide to the skin benefits of Willow Bark helpful. For more help choosing the best anti-blemish skin care products for your routine, why not take our quick skin quiz or contact our friendly UK customer care team at 01403 740350 or via @GreenPeopleUK?
Reviewed by:
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry. A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 and 2024 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty. A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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